In the lengthy letter, Figueroa addresses Obama directly and offers a formal apology while explaining that the comment was taking out of context. The former "Sal Y Pimienta" host also said his dismissal was a direct result of a complaint by the first lady's office to the network and that Univision publicly humiliated him.

"I want to clarify that I'm not racist and in no way was my comment directed at you, but rather the work of the [make up] artist, which left much to be desired," the letter says.